In its recently announced extra capacity configuration, the Q400 NextGen aircraft provides up to a 17 per cent seat-cost advantage for operators

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that its technologically advanced Q400 NextGen regional airliner departs this weekend on a three-week, multi-country demonstration tour of the Latin American region, including planned stops in Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Panama and Mexico. The tour will also include stops in the Caribbean – the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.

The Q400 NextGen aircraft, newly painted in a special livery to mark the demonstration tour, commences the Latin American leg of the tour with a static display at the 2014 FIDAE (Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio) Air Show in Santiago, Chile from March 25 to 28. FIDAE is the largest air show in the Latin American region.

Since the Q400 NextGen airliner’s last demonstration tour of the region in 2012, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has introduced an optional extra capacity version of the aircraft with seating for up to 86 passengers – this is up to 14 more seats than any available commercial turboprop. The extra capacity aircraft provides up to a 17 per cent seat-cost advantage for operators.

“For airlines in Chile and other mountainous areas, the Q400 NextGen turboprop offers a rate of climb that is twice as fast as competing turboprops and it is the only commercial turboprop certified to operate at airfield elevations up to 14,000 feet (4,267 m) and airfield slopes of up to 4.6 per cent. It has a generous single-engine service ceiling and an optional drop-down oxygen system. The Q400 NextGen aircraft’s speed and 99.5 per cent dispatch reliability also provide operators with the flexibility to replace older-generation jets on short to medium-haul routes,” noted Kevin Smith, Vice President, Sales for the Americas, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

Latin America is experiencing robust economic growth that is projected to continue with the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. These major international sporting events are spurring regional growth, including investment in secondary aviation infrastructure, and the development of low fare carriers, providing wider access to affordable air travel.

Bombardier’s current 20-year commercial aviation market forecast projects deliveries of 1,120 units in the 20- to 149-seat category to Latin America and the Caribbean (including Mexico) through 2033. More than 60 per cent of the deliveries are expected to be in the 100- to 149-seat segment – the segment for which Bombardier’s new advanced-technology CSeries single-aisle mainline jet transport is designed – while most of the remainder will be in the 60- to 99-seat segment. Currently, approximately 60 Bombardier Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets are in service in Latin America and the Caribbean.

About Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft
The Q400 NextGen aircraft, which is built at Bombardier’s Toronto, Ontario facility, is the most recent development in the evolution of the Q400 aircraft, an all-new design that entered service in 2000 to address the needs of the evolving market. Optimized for short-haul operations, the Q400 aircraft is large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient. It provides an ideal balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint. In its extra capacity configuration, which provides seats for up to 86 passengers, the Q400 aircraft provides up to a 17 per cent seat-cost advantage for operators.

The Q400 airliner is the fastest new-technology turboprop, providing both jet speed and turboprop fuel efficiency. The aircraft therefore delivers the best flexibility and overall operating economics in its market segment, allowing airlines to successfully deploy it in a variety of markets ranging from typical short-haul turboprop markets to longer-haul jet replacement opportunities.

Although the Q400 aircraft traditionally operates on routes of less than 500 NM, it is the only turboprop that has the speed and range to be deployed on routes over 1,000 NM. The Q400 aircraft’s maximum cruise speed of 360 knots lets the aircraft fly on demand-driven interchangeable schedules with jets. But, throttle back to 280 knots and the Q400 aircraft is as fuel efficient as any other turboprop on a per-seat basis, while still maintaining some speed advantage.

Setting new environmental standards, the Q400 aircraft uses 30 to 40 per cent less fuel and produces 30 to 40 per cent fewer emissions on routes where it has replaced similar-capacity, older jets. Importantly too, the Q400 turboprop’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), located in the tail of the aircraft, vents its exhaust and noise upward, resulting in a better operating environment for ground crews. Overall, the Q400 aircraft is 15 decibels quieter than ICAO Chapter 4 noise standards; raising the bar for the entire industry. The Q400 aircraft is also participating in biofuel test programs that could make a significant contribution in reducing aviation's carbon footprint.

The Q400 aircraft is the only turboprop approved for single-engine approaches in Cat. IIIa weather conditions when equipped with a Head-up Guidance System. The Q400 aircraft is also the only turboprop currently meeting Required Navigation Performance (RNP) standards, which is advantageous when operating in mountainous regions and confined airspace.

The Q400 NextGen aircraft features an enhanced cabin environment with the introduction of LED lighting, new ceiling panels, dished window sidewalls and larger overhead luggage bins. These features, combined with the aircraft’s Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system, provide an excellent cabin experience for passengers.

Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 486 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft. Worldwide, Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have transported more than 295 million passengers and have logged over 4.7 million flight hours and more than 5 million take-offs and landings. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft program includes over 50 customers and operators in over 30 countries on five continents. This successful operation in many diverse environments, including cold weather conditions in Canada and Eastern Europe; arid environments in the Middle East and Northern Africa; and humid environments in Western North America and sub-Saharan Africa, illustrates the Q400 aircraft’s versatility. Long recognized as a high value asset by operators, the Q400 aircraft is now also attracting growing interest from the leasing community.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to Editors

Photos of the Q400 NextGen aircraft in its demonstration tour liveryare posted with this press release at www.bombardier.com.